Opened on September 8, 2022, at Vigan Conservation Complex in barangay San Julian Sur, the Vigan City Museum features tree sections, particularly the town's history, the church, and the historic houses. It pleasures the mind more than what your eyes would see.

Hello Hivers! If you want to see an interactive learning museum when you visit Vigan, Vigan City Museum offers it. It's both fun and informative as it showcases the place's tradition, culture, products, and of course, its distinct ancestral houses.

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How to get there?

_{Screenshot taken via Google Map}

_{Screenshot taken via Google Map}

It's located at Vigan Conservation Complex in barangay San Julian Sur, Vigan City. From the City Hall, using a car, going there via Quirino Boulevard takes 1.5 km, while it's 1.4 km if the route taken is via Quezon Avenue and Liberation Boulevard, and 1.3 km via Quirino Boulevard and Liberation Boulevard. It is open from 9 am until 4 pm, except on Mondays and special holidays.

There is a minimal entrance fee, and the good thing is that students and senior citizens would only pay a lower amount as compared to regular visitors. There is also a discount if your group is consisting of at least 20 individuals.

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I went here with some classmates after our grand foot parade last Friday. As we entered the museum, the first thing that welcomed us was the history of Vigan.

According to the facilitator, when the Spaniards came across the place and said, "Como se llama de esta lugar?" to the locals they met, the latter were confused. They assumed they were asking about the name of the plant beside them that is abundant in the place. The locals said "Bigaa, apo."

Bigaa is otherwise known as alocadia indica in its scientific name. From that name, it became Vigan in the present. It was included in UNESCO world Heritage List in December 1999 and was converted into a component city on January 21, 2001.

Next to it was the Bajo Las Campanas. According to the posted signage, the octagonal bell tower in Vigan was strategically detached from the Cathedral to avoid the church from being massively damaged in case of an earthquake.

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Seat of Faith

At the heart of the town, the Cathedral was situated. Its notable role in the lives of Bigueños is reflected in it. Three arched doorways stick to the base of the Church front. On top of the ionic pillars are fu dogs, which delineate the indications of Chinese influence.

Way back in time, Vigan was once a rising center of Spanish culture, economy, and even politics. The old town became a city called Ciudad Fernandina through the effect of the Royal Decree on September 7, 1758, and the approval of then Pope Benedict the XIV.

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Leccio

Have you ever heard of Leccio or Pasyon-Leksiyo? For Ilocanos, this is a kind of song of lamentation in the distinctive Ilocano melody. It is mainly heard during "Mahal na Araw," or Semana Santa or Holy Week.

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Ili-Ili

The Barter system was typical before. It is the system of exchanging goods or services with other goods or services from others without the need to use money. Some parts of the nation have fishing as the main occupation. Some also engaged with various products like knitting pieces of clothes. And those "baknang" or rich are typically living in the bayan or "ili."

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The Brave, The Noble

Vigan is a home of many courageous figures that not only shaped people's consciousness but also stood still with their loyalty to where they come from. From the cobblestoned pavements to ancestral houses to plazas, they were all witness to their greatness and heroic braveness.

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The Love Story that Saved the Town

Read more: Love over Power | How a Town was Miraculously Spared from Total Devastation

It's as if historic scenes flashes as you walk through it.

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The Mayors of Vigan

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Various products

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Outdoor Shot after leaving section 2:

An old newspaper:

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Ancestral Houses

Let's figure out the old houses in Vigan!

The Old Vigan houses, particularly the All-Brick houses are impressively framed with decorative plasterworks. As for "Bahay na Kahoy" or Wood Houses, nipa roof system were employed. One common thing to also notice is the presence of Azoteas.

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At first glance, I thought it was a stamp marker, not until I had a closer look and read the name.

There is also this fun game where you can choose your own exterior design of your ancestral house.

Just step in this particular sign on the floor and raise your right hand as indicated in the instruction. When the cursor appears, you can now pick your chosen designs.

After trying it, here's the outcome:

That's it for this interactive museum. I hope you learned something new also and enjoyed this virtual tour. I hope you'll experience it also in person sometime. Thank you!

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Words and Photos by @MacJulez